About Youd Lev-Farrell Das Smiley LLP

Youd Lev-Farrell Das Smiley LLP, which also does business as BYLDS Litigation, is a commercial litigation firm in Toronto's Financial District, at the corner of Adelaide Street West and York Street. The firm's practice began in land based disputes and has since broadened into commercial lease disputes and enforcement, construction litigation, shareholder and partnership disputes, professional negligence defence, and product liability claims. Four partners lead the practice, R. Leigh Youd, Alexandra Lev-Farrell, Ranjan Das, and Peter Smiley, together with a team of associates, for 11 lawyers in total.

The partners bring different paths into the firm. Youd was called to the Ontario bar in 1987 after studying at the University of Toronto, and has been appointed preferred counsel by LawPro. Das joined the firm in 1997, after a commerce degree from Queen's University, a law degree from the University of Ottawa, and a Master of Laws in financial services and banking law from Osgoode Hall Law School. Lev-Farrell, who studied at the University of Western Ontario and York University, leads the firm's commercial leasing litigation team and is also preferred counsel with LawPro. Smiley began at a New York firm working on international arbitration for Fortune 500 companies before returning to Toronto to practise at a Bay Street firm. Its senior partners have worked together for more than 30 years.

Milestones & recognition

  • The firm's senior partners describe having worked together for more than 30 years.
  • R. Leigh Youd, a founding partner, was admitted to the Ontario bar in 1987 and has been appointed preferred counsel by LawPro, the professional liability insurer for Ontario lawyers.
  • Partner Alexandra Lev-Farrell leads the firm's commercial leasing litigation team and is also preferred counsel with LawPro.
  • Partner Ranjan Das has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada since 2025 for administrative and public law.

Good to know

A person using a wheelchairWheelchair accessibleA laptop showing a video callVirtual appointmentsA calendar with a checkmark beside a clockBy appointment

This firm’s lawyers at a glance

Called to the bar
1987–2025 · median 5 years in practice 11 of 11 lawyers
Law schools
Osgoode Hall Law School (3), Queen's University (2), University of Toronto (2), University of Western Ontario (2), University of Ottawa, University of Windsor 11 of 11 lawyers
Languages on the roster
English, French

The neighbourhood

BYLDS's office is on Adelaide Street West at York Street, inside Toronto's Financial District, an area built around the commercial towers, corporate offices, and real estate development that generates much of the firm's litigation work. The practice grew out of land based disputes, and the surrounding blocks, home to landlords, developers, and property owners, are the kind of clients that practice was built to serve.

The location suits a litigation practice more broadly, too. The firm's lawyers regularly appear on Ontario's Commercial List and before the Court of Appeal for Ontario, and two of the firm's partners hold preferred counsel status with LawPro, the province's legal malpractice insurer.

Frequently asked questions

Does BYLDS handle commercial lease disputes in Toronto?
Yes. The firm's practice covers commercial lease disputes, remedies and enforcement, including lease default and rent arrears, and partner Alexandra Lev-Farrell leads that team.
Can BYLDS represent me in a shareholder or partnership dispute?
Yes, shareholder and partnership disputes, including oppression remedy claims, are one of the firm's core litigation areas.
Does the firm defend professional negligence claims?
Yes. BYLDS handles professional negligence defence work, and partner R. Leigh Youd has been appointed preferred counsel by LawPro, the insurer for Ontario lawyers.
What is a land based dispute, and does BYLDS handle them?
Land based disputes, covering owners, developers, landlords, tenants and contractors, are the firm's founding area of practice and remain a core focus today.
How many lawyers work at BYLDS?
The firm has 11 lawyers, four partners and a group of associates, working from a single office in Toronto's Financial District.
Where is BYLDS located?
The firm is at 141 Adelaide Street West, Suite 400, Toronto, at the corner of Adelaide Street West and York Street.

Where to find them

400-141 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5H 3L5 · 416-364-4900

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Listing compiled from the firm’s public website in September 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗